Sung Jinwoo was introduced to the fandom as an E-Rank hunter and the weakest hunter known to mankind. One look at our hero and his timid-looking face and frail body made all of us wonder how he would level up to become the top hunter. Nevertheless, Jinwoo inherited the powers of Ashborn to become the next Shadow Monarch. By committing to the grind, he will effortlessly surpass every hunter in existence in terms of power and rank. If you’re wondering when Sung Jinwoo became an S-Rank hunter in Solo Leveling, learn about the exact timeline of events and the manhwa chapter when his new rank is revealed.
Spoilers Warning: This post heavy spoilers about Jinwoo’s hunter journey in Solo Leveling. So, make sure to read the manhwa beforehand to avoid ruining your intended experience.
Sung Jinwoo’s Rise From E-Rank to S-Rank Hunter: When Did It Happen?
Unlike other hunters, Jinwoo’s powers were boundless and he continued to level up without any breaks. So, if you are wondering when exactly Sung Jinwoo becomes an S-Rank hunter in the Solo Leveling world, we have the answer for you. He was officially granted S-Rank hunter status during the events of the Retesting Rank Arc.
After he cleared the 75th floor in the Demon Castle, Jinwoo returned to his world and remarked he would come back later to complete the remaining 25 floors and acquire the last ingredient for the Holy Water of Life.
When he returned to check on his mother, Jinwoo reflected on how fast he had grown within a week by obliterating the demons inside the castle. In Chapter 61, Jinwoo remarked “he had reached the level of an S-Rank hunter” by sensing the strength within him, thanks to all the monsters he killed along the way.
Everyone around Jinwoo had begun to suspect that there was something special about him, i.e. he could have reawakened. In case you aren’t aware, in this universe, hunters are evaluated based on the mana they possess. Jinwoo was tested for a reawakening after he made it out of the Double Dungeon alive, but he was still an E-rank hunter back then. He hasn’t begun his leveling up journey at the time.
However, after visiting the Demon Castle, Jinwoo wanted to retest his rank and paid a visit to the headquarters of the Korean Hunters Association. As expected, Jinwoo’s mana levels had become immeasurable, which automatically qualified him to be an S-Rank hunter. In Chapter 62, Sung Jinwoo was declared an S-Rank Hunter, and Chairman Go Gunhee also acknowledged him in the next chapter.
Jinwoo’s identity was, however, kept hidden by the Korean Hunters Association for some time. In the Return to Demon Castle arc (see Solo Leveling arcs in order), Jinwoo was finally introduced to the world as Korea’s 10th S-Rank hunter in Chapter 78. This announcement shook the entire nation as it should be noted that Korea hadn’t seen the rise of an S-Rank hunter for two long years since Cha Hae-In joined as the country’s 9th S-Rank hunter.
Sung Jinwoo’s Unbelievable Leveling up Hunter Journey
Sung Jinwoo debuted as a measly E-Rank hunter and was branded the world’s weakest hunter. But he boasted indomitable will and spirit to live and turn the tides in his life. That was how he got selected by the System (becoming a vessel for Ashborn) at the brink of death inside the Double Dungeon.
Jinwoo was not just given a second chance in life but also was presented with the leveling-up power to ascend further as a hunter. He hit the jackpot, completing daily quests to rack up skills and push himself higher in the ranks.
His grind to become the strongest character in Solo Leveling never stopped and each new dungeon helped him level up at a rapid rate. He had already become equal to an A-rank hunter after beating Igris at the end of Season 1.
Becoming the next Shadow Monarch was truly the game-changer for the necromancer. He started using his powers to build a Shadow army of his own out of dead characters. Another special aspect of his powers is that his shadows can grow stronger by leveling up. Since then, Jinwoo crossed the barrier between an A-Rank and S-Rank as he cleared a Red Gate on his own.
Jinwoo is officially an S-Rank hunter and will grow to the level of a National Level hunter soon and go beyond that in the anime. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts about Jinwoo’s powers in the comments below.
Sung Jinwoo became an S-Rank hunter by the time he finished 75 floors in the Demon Castle arc. He got officially recognized as S-Rank after getting retested in the Retesting Rank Arc.
Yes, Sung Jinwoo met the criteria to become a National Level hunter but was never given the title officially. However, he has gone beyond the levels of National Level hunter, which made the fans call him a Planet Level hunter.
Yes, Sung Jinwoo becomes the strongest hunter in existence after the final war against Antares in Solo Leveling.
